GOING THE DISTANCE

Demystifying Long-Range Rifle Work

- Rob Curtis

Shooting long distances seems intimidating at first blush. There’s a lot to consider when shooting a rifle at the limit of its performance envelope. Long-range precision shooting trades the frenetic athletics of the carbine for the more refined and calculated challenges that demand the shooter look beyond up-drills and speedy reloads to understand the basics of ballistic science and marksmanship. It’s a zen-ish pursuit that rewards patience and meticulousness.

While the array of gear and math used by long-range shooters appears daunting, you’ll be surprised at just how accessible the pursuit has become. There might be a few things to buy or borrow, but the bulk of the investment comes down to learning the application of marksmanship fundamentals, understanding the basic principles of ballistics, and taking the time to properly configure the gear you already have.

“Long-range” is a subjective term largely based on the gun and cartridge at hand. Shooting a rimfire at long-range might mean 300 yards, while shooting a magnum centerfire cartridge at long-range means reaching out well beyond 1,200 yards. The distinction “long-range” applies when running the system to hit small targets at the further reaches of its intended range. Despite the difference in distance, the underlying mechanics of precision and accuracy are the same.

We’ll also throw the terms “precision” and “accuracy” around, and we should let you know they’re different. Accuracy means hitting what you’re aiming at, and precision means putting a group of holes close together. Ideally, you want to be accurate and precise. But, without precision, achieving accuracy is tough.

The first thing people wonder about when contemplating shooting long-range is why bolt guns are considered more accurate than gas guns.